Sandal



DQS. 17, 1946.

D. D. GoLDsTl-:IN 2,412,808

SANDAL Filed Jan. 5, 1945 ATTORN EY Patented Dec. '17, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SANDAL Davia D. Goldstein, Pittsburgh, Pa. ApplicationJanuary 3, 1945, Serial No. 571,131

(Cl. Sii-11.5)

Claims.

My invention relates to sandals and has particular reference to sandals made of Vegetabl fibers, particularly of bers of raiiia.

This is a continuation-impart of my application, Serial No. 510,469, led November 16, 1943.

I have found that natural bers of raia, which is a tropical plant, when treated with steam, can be Woven into tight braids which can be used for makingsandals, including their soles.

The raiiia braids possess strength, pliability and remarkable wearing qualities, comparing favorably with leather and being far superior to other vegetable bers such as straws. The braids, particularly for the soles, can be made ci considerable thickness, still retaining flexibility and light Weight.

The braids may be dyed, lacquered or impregnated with suitable compounds before being used for making the sandals.

My invention is more fully described in the accompanying specification and drawing in which:

Fig, l is a side View of my sandal partly in section;

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the same;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fis. l:

Fig. 4 is a detailed view of a braid being made of raliia strands;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the braid;

Fig. 6 is a similar view of a multiple strand braid.

My sandal as shown in one of its forms in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive consists of a sole I which is preferably made of three layers 2, 3 and 4 of raia braids, wound fiatwise as shown in section in Fig.

3. The braids 5 are woven preferably of three strands of rafa as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 so as to obtain a flat strip of a strong and flexible material. The braids are stitched together at the edges and formed into elongated spirals so that each layer of the sole represents a flat body with rounded edges and Without corners. The outer layers 2 and ll are preferably made of relatively thick braids, the inner layer 3 being made of relatively thin braids, all three layers being stitched together in various places through the middle and at the edges, preferably using untwisted raia strands for threads. 4The lower layer 2 is out short at the rear and is of reduced thickness as shown in Fig. l, the thin end l being inserted under a shoulder 8 of a heel s. The heel may be made of any suitable material such as wood, plastic, etc. or it may -be also wound of raia braids. The intermediate layer 3 may con- 2 sist of a single braid at the shown in Fig. 3.

The upper front or toe portion of the sandal is formed of Wide bands. l2, i3 which may be made of previously stitched braids, or of braids stitched on the last. The bands are placed across the sole, the ends of the bands being bent inwards and attached to the sole as shown in Fig. 3, preferably by strands IB passing through the sole and through the ends of the bands i2, I3. Two such bands 4may be used as shown, one for the instep and the other for the toe of the sandal. An inner sole Il is placed over the inner ends of the bands.

The heel is built up at the rear by placing a suitable Wedge M made of Wood or similar material and placed on top of the sole and covering the same on the outside by a band l5 made of rafa braids. The end portions of the band are trimmed at an angie as shown and attached to the upper edges of the sole as by stitching by raa strands. rihe bands are fastened to the heel as by cementing, and attached temporarily until the braids are stitched together.

An ankle strap I6 is also made of rama braid and is supported on two pairs oi upwards extending braids I1, le at the sides of the heel portion l5. One end of the ankle strap is provided With a button i9, the other end having a loop 2li for the button. A plate or top-lift 23 made of leather or other suitable material can be attached to heel 9.

My sandals can be conveniently made on ordinary lasts, by placing the bands across the upper portion oi the last and temporarily attaohing the bands as by nails or staples, then similarly attaching the sole over the ends of the bands. The bands and the sole are then stitched together, nails or staples removed, and the product removed from the last.

The braids l, 2, 3 may be made oiseveral braids each, or of a single Wide braid 22 as is shown in Fig. 6.

It will be understood that various features and principles of each of the embodiments of the invention above described or referred to may be utilized or substituted in the other embodiments.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to certain particular preierred examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art after understanding the invention, that various changes and further modiedges of the sole as the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is 3 intended therefore in the appended claims to cover al1 such changes and modifications.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A sandal comprising .a sole having several layers, each layer being made of flat braids of a iibrous material stitched together edgewise, the bottom layer being cut short at the rear and reduced in thickness, the layers being stitched together; a heel attached to the rear end of the sole having an undercut at the front end, the rear thin end of the bottom sole layer being tted into the undercut of the heel; and an upper front portion of the sandal made of a band f formed of several braids woven from strands of a vegetable material and Stitched together edgewise, the ends of the band being bent inwards and attached to the upper side of the sole.

2. A sandal comprising a sole formed of three layers, the top and bottom layers being made of relativelt7 thick braids woven of strands of vegetable fibers, the inner layer being made of relatively thin braid in the form of a ring placed between the edges of the outer layers, the layers being stitched together, the bottoni layer being cut short at the rear end and reduced in thickness; a heel attached to the rear end of the sole, the heel having an undercut at the front end, the thin rear end of the bottom layer being fitted into the undercut of the heel; and an upper front portion of the sandal made of several braids of a fibrous material placed across the front por tion of the sole, the ends of the braids being bent inwards and attached to the upper side of the sole.

3. A sandal comprising a sole formed of three layers, the top and bottom layers being made of relatively thick braids woven of strands of vegetable bers, the inner layer being made of relatively thin braid in the form of a ring placed between the edges of the outer layers, the layers being stitched together, the bottom layer being cut short at the rear end and reduced in thickness; a heel attached to the rear end of the sole, the heel having an undercut at the front end, the thin rear end of the bottom layer being tted into the undercut of the heel; and a layer of a wear resisting material on the heel.

4. A sandal comprising a sole; an upper front portion formed of several braids made of strands oi a vegetable material, the braids being placed across the front portion of the sole, the ends of the braids being bent inwards and attached to the sole; a wedge made of a relatively light material placed on top of the rear portion of the sole; and a plurality of braids made of a vegetable material placed on the outside of the wedge, the ends of the braids being attached to the sole. i 5. A sandal comprising Va sole; an upper toe portion comprising bands made of several braids of vegetable fibers stitched together, the bands being placed across the toe portion of the sole, the ends of the bands being bent inwards and attached to the sole; an upper heel wedge portion comprising bands extending around the heel of the sandal and attached at the ends to the Y edges o1' the sole; and additional upper bands attached at the ends to the upper edges of the upper heel band.

DAVD D. GOLDSTEIN. 

